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// Foreword 
// Story: The Codex: A Sister's Burden 
// by Arvaus 
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From the Royal Court of Princess Luna, for the attention of Princess Twilight Sparkle, Ponyville College of Magic.

My dear friend,

        I hope this letter finds you well. I have decided that I must write to you because there is a matter of great importance of which you must be made aware. I must warn you that you may find some of these facts surprising, even troubling, but I ask you to give their details your full consideration before responding. I myself was furious when my sister first revealed them to me, but when the full story was explained to me, I was eventually able to forgive her for her actions.

        First, and most importantly, I must confess to my own part in this story; I have lied to you, as did my sister to both of us before. This has cast a constant shadow over my thoughts in the past decades, and I must humbly ask for your forgiveness. I cannot second-guess my decision, as I am convinced it was justified, but misleading my fellow ponies is so contrary to my nature that it hurt me deeply to do so.

        For many ages, my sister and I have been forced to hide certain facts, both from each other and from our kingdom. We did so only because we wished the pony race to have the chance to grow and develop as naturally as possible, unaffected by the knowledge of what we had seen and experienced. We wished to guide our subjects to better themselves and help them overcome the many trials which they have faced over history, but we feared that knowing the purpose of our guidance would spoil any positive effect we may have.

        However, I believe that the time has finally come when this information can, nay must be published. It is time for everypony to finally understand the forces which have been at work guiding their race over the millennia. However, this story has a particular significance to your own life, Twilight, and so I wish for you to know first.

        Therefore, I am passing on to you this document, known simply as The Codex. Compiled over many ages by my sister, The Codex is an account of the many events which have shaped her life and guided her in her decisions. It is a priceless historical document, revealing much about the world we live in and the magic which gives it form.

        I first learned of the Codex a year after I returned from my forced exile, when you defeated Discord using the Elements of Harmony. I was only informed of Discord’s return after the event, and was shocked to discover that my sister had deliberately hidden his presence from me. She told me she had done this to protect me from him, but the fact that she did not even consult me was the first time I realised that she was hiding something from me.

        I confronted her, and she told me everything. To help me understand, she gave me the Codex, and allowed me time to read it and consider its meaning. It was deceptive in its brevity, almost unprecedented in its scope, and is a uniquely personal account of a long and turbulent history. The things I learned about my sister, what she had put herself through for my sake, were astounding. I do not know if I would have done the same had I been in her place, but I cannot doubt her motivations anymore.

        This knowledge was freeing, lifting a wall between us that I had not even realised was there, my sister’s efforts to hide it being so thorough. We were able to fully communicate in one mind, Celestia sharing with me all which she had hidden over the years.

        But it was then that a new chapter in the story began. Celestia had assumed that it had finished, everything which must happen having been completed. Only because of this had she felt comfortable sharing with me. However, my different perspective on these events revealed that there was much more yet to be done.

        I do not want to elaborate here. I believe that you must learn of this in the same manner that I did. Read the Codex, absorb what it has to teach you, and then there will be much for us to discuss, hopefully in person this time. There will, however, be much more for you to learn than there was for me. While much was hidden from me, it was primarily intentions and motivations. I was present for many of the acts themselves, but simply did not understand them as my sister did. I will give you as much time as you need to process the information, and will help you accept it in any way I can.

        Only in the final chapters of the story did you become involved. It seems that the spirits of the universe have singled out for you a special role, as it did for me and my sister before. We have helped guide you in this destiny as best as we can, and you have perhaps done more to help the universe than you realise.

        Lastly, a few thoughts concerning the Codex itself. It is my firm belief that it must at some point be published. It was created for the purpose of education, that those whose life its story touched could fully understand why these events have happened. However, its story is so far-reaching that this cannot be achieved until it has been seen by everypony in Equestria. You are far more the scholar than I ever was, so I will leave it to you to decide when and how this happens. I encourage you even to add to the Codex first, as I have done. Added perspectives can only bring further clarity.

Best wishes,

	Princess Luna